The Villainess in the Romance Fantasy Is Strange

42. Hunting Festival (1)

Time passed, the long-awaited day of the hunting festival.

The origin of the hunting festival, which is a traditional festival of the Empire that is held regularly every year and is also a specialty of the southern continent, is a simple hunting competition that was first held about 400 years ago.

Before the 4th century, the demonic energy across the continent was much thicker than it is now. During the period of chaos before the empire became influential as the only loser, damage from monsters was frequent in the north and south, east and west.

This damage, regardless of the military and civilians, only increased as the years went by, so the first emperor, who decided that he could not ignore it any longer, said, ‘I will give a huge reward to the one who cut off the supply and demand of the most monsters-! ‘ Is the very early hunting competition.

As for the current hunting festival, this hunting competition has been handed down over the course of 400 years, with little changes. It was transformed into an official event of the empire.

─Youngsiks and ladies from each family who have gone a long way to make this place shine. You’ve waited so long.

Edgar, the head of Baron Lance, brought out a conventional greeting and looked around the audience.

Here, in the main hall of Baron Lance’s fortress, as he said, many young children and young children of noble families were seated. All of them are the heirs of influential families who are said to exert a little bit of strength in each province.

“… ….”

If an attack led by a demon had occurred in a fortress where so many family heirs gathered, the aftermath and chaos would have been unimaginable, right?

I don’t know, but in the worst case, the hunting festival, which boasts a 400-year tradition, could have been abolished in our generation. Oh, again, I thought that Leah and I did a good job.

─Starting at 2:00 PM today, a traditional festival of the Empire supervised by the Emperor. I will declare the holding of the hunting festival-!

Edgar’s dock, followed by cheers from everyone in the audience. Inside the main hall, there was a commotion in an instant, and everyone in the room started talking about the joy of hosting the hunting festival with others around them.

…… Well, let’s call it a conversation. Most of the questions and answers will be based on calculations about whether this guy will be useful or if that guy will be useful to me. Rarely, there are those who truly openly talk to each other.

For example, Bern and Stella, who are talking about each other in the corner. Like the couples of men and women who were often seen hanging out in the academy.

“Are you two dating?”

Even though the emperor’s congratulatory message still remains, it’s strange that they’re already close together.

Especially, two men and women in school uniforms from the far away Bern Academy. Judging by the color of the tie, he is a senior above me, but a blushing woman is tying a handkerchief around the man’s wrist.

“I did, I did.”

The fact that a woman attending a hunting festival ties a handkerchief to a man means that the relationship between the two is not normal.

I don’t know, but it must be a fiancée, or something similar. You must have kissed already, right?

Originally, the most fun thing to do is to watch other people’s love stories, so I watched the two men and women laughing without knowing it.

“…… What are you doing?”

But just at that moment, I heard a rough voice next to me. Turning around, I was sure it was Leah. Even though everyone else is in a festive mood, the fact that I was the only one with a pouting mouth, it seems that he is still pouting at me.

“No, nothing. Did you have a good conversation?”

“Yes, because Cain is not bothering me. Ah——! We talked comfortably.”

Lia, who put her accent on it to make it louder, turned her head away.

The reason why she usually looks so childish like an adult is probably because of my jokes last night and the last night.

Since I had received a lot from Lia, in the name of returning her favor, she gave me a taste of ‘Cain’s Special Massage Full Course’ for two long nights. In the aftermath of that, I’ve been in this state since this morning.

I’m too immature to express the feelings of a 17-year-old. Maybe it’s because of Leah, who is one head smaller than me, but rather than feeling childish, I feel like she’s just cute.

It would be rude to say this, but what should I say? Should I say that it looks like a pouty cat wagging its tail?

Avoiding my gaze by turning your head away, it seems like you’re saying, ‘I’m going to get really upset if you don’t relieve me quickly!’ …. Cute.

“…… Mmm.”

…… Oh, I shouldn’t be laughing, but I keep laughing. I tried to make up my mind and moved closer to Leah, pretending not to know.

If I leave it like this, I’ll really get mad, so I’ll have to pretend to give it up.

Tuk-tuk, contrary to usual, I tapped Lia on the shoulder first.

Leah kept her head still, only turning her gaze to glance at me.

“After I win the hunting festival, if I dedicate the honor to Lady Lia. Would you please lighten up?”

“…… Joy.”

Leah, who snorted her cutely, nodded her head.

I didn’t say much, but it means that if I win and come back, I will forgive my mistakes.

“Okay.”

Winning the hunting festival.

It won’t be easy as there are many outstanding competitors, but the winner of the hunting festival will be ‘the one who cuts down on the supply and demand of the strongest monster’.

In the early days, it was said that the number of supply and demand was calculated.

It was long before I was born, so I don’t know, but the rules are like that anyway. In order to win, you have to find the strongest guy you can and slit his throat within half a day, which is the time limit.

“…… But, are you confident?”

Then, if she suddenly became worried, Lia glanced at me and carefully asked.

“Yes, what.”

But there is no need to worry. Because I know the habitat of the strongest monsters in this area. It is a monster that appears in the original work as well, but originally, it was the number one contributor that Edwin dedicated to Stella so that he could win the hunting festival.

His name is Baro, Gwang-.

—Then, there is a congratulatory speech from His Majesty the Emperor. Ladies and gentlemen of each family, please pay attention to the second floor of the main hall.

At that time, Edgar drew the attention of the crowd and quickly stepped back.

Kiki-.

As the main entrance to the 2nd floor of the main hall was opened, knights clad in full plate armor came out in droves and lined up on the left and right sides of the road.

And, as if crossing the middle. A middle-aged man walks out, escorted by heavily armed knights.

His eyebrows are thick, and his eyes are sharp. Unlike the hair color of my children, Edwin and Vern, that man with red hair that seemed to burn.

The owner of absolute power and the current emperor of the empire. Wilhelm von Edward.

The emperor, standing proudly at the place where everyone who participated in the hunting festival should look up, looked around at everyone gathered here with nonchalant eyes.

“It’s a congratulatory speech, but I won’t say anything long.”

The emperor said. It was a voice that did not feel high or low at all, but his words had the power to attract attention.

“The first emperor, Bern von Edward, said. It is said that it is the duty of nobles to subdue the monsters that eat away at this continent.”

The emperor twisted his head.

“So, do your duty. Go out and decapitate the monster. If so, I will give a huge reward to the one who has shown the most outstanding performance among you.”

The emperor flicked his index finger. Behind him, two knights whimpered out with a huge wooden box.

Kung-.

The knight opened the box. It was full of gold and silver treasures that glittered inside. ….

Other people may not know, but I know.

The gold and silver treasures inside.

“…… Indeed, mine.”

It’s all fake.

* * *

From noble mtl dot com

“Cain, can you do well?”

Ah, Lia asked after tying a handkerchief around my wrist.

After I touched the knot to see if it was tight, I replied while stretching my sore neck.

“You can look forward to it.”

He said he would make it short, but he gave me fake gold and silver treasures and made all sorts of bluffs.

I twisted her whole body around, and maybe it was funny, Lia smiled and touched my collar.

“Yes, yes. Then, will I only trust Cain?”

I didn’t say the cliche, just trust me. Because we already believe in each other.

Putting aside unnecessary words, I smiled at Lia and came to her stable.

In order to win the hunting festival, you have to go into the cave where the ‘gnome’ is. The distance from here to there is roughly 20 km. It’s almost like a marathon round trip, so it’s not a place to go on foot.

So, you have to ride a fast and strong horse to be on time.

“Oh.”

The good horses must have been taken away by the people who came before them, and the few remaining horses were only those that looked very corrupt.

…… This, from the start, ran into difficulties.

This is embarrassing, but is there anyone who looks strong?

Hiding my embarrassment, I looked around the stable. Then far away, at the end of the stable. Unlike the other horses, I saw one horse standing tall and tidying its mane.

-Pureung.

Unicorn.

A horse tamed by Lia, a lofty divine beast who resolutely refuses to be touched by men.

I stared at him.

Perhaps it felt my gaze, the unicorn looked around and flinched as soon as our eyes met.

“… ….”

I went closer to the unicorn. Even though he seemed embarrassed, he didn’t avoid my gaze.

I got on human hands, but my origin is Shinsoo, so it looks like he’s trying to stand up to me without taking it out.

“Hey.”

-Pureung!

“Type only once.”

-…… Purung!

As if he would firmly reject it, he glared at me with a grunt.

I knew it would be like this. This is because it is within the expected range. I tried persuasion first.

“Hey. I’m not doing this for nothing. You don’t know, but this is all for your master Leah?”

-Pureung…… ?

“Leah wants me to win, but the good horses are all taken away by other guys, so I need your help to win. So you probably don’t like it either, but can’t you give me your back just once?”

-Pureung──!

I tried to bring up Leah, but the result was of course a refusal.

Well, I can’t help it. If persuasion doesn’t work, you have no choice but to threaten.

I put my right hand on the hilt of my sword and spoke again.

“Hey, horse meat. When I say something nice, will you quietly give your back for Leah, or…….”

10 Billion.

10 Billion horns.

Unbeknownst to me, my gaze went there.

“Can you give me this?”

-Pureung…….

I wondered if the unicorn, a smart divine being who understands human speech, was troubled by my words.

-…… Purung!

He showed his back to me with an air of helplessness.

“… ….”

It’s just a pity.

* * *

Outside the citadel, east of the starting assembly point.

The nobles, each equipped with a horse, were talking about what kind of monster they would attack and where they would go.

“Wow.”

Amidst them, a rider with black hair appeared on a white horse.

The jockey’s shoulders are wide open, and his thighs are strong. His face became quite youthful. Looking only at the face value, you have to pay a lot to be in your late teens.

But the age of the rider is not important. The nobles, who were proudly talking about their own strategy, widened their eyes when they noticed that the rider had a long horn on the forehead of the horse he was riding.

“…… Dina’s Ball, Dina’s Ball! Look at that horse’s head.”

“That… …. A horn, isn’t that a single horn too?”

“A white horse with horns on its head, then that would be…… ?”

The two noble men faced each other. If it’s the identity of a white horse with a single horn on its head, isn’t there only one in this world?

“Uh, you mean a unicorn…… ?”

“Yeah, it seems so. Isn’t something strange? A unicorn must be a divine beast that refuses to be touched by men.”

“Ah…. Certainly, so is he. So, that’s not a unicorn, it’s just a horse with a similar appearance, right?”

“Well, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s not like that?”

The man called Dinas-dono touched my chin and added a word.

“Looks like the jockey is quite young, but I think he prepared such an unusual horse because he wanted to attract people’s attention. Little boys love to be in the spotlight.”

“Hey, if you’re driving a horse that looks similar to a unicorn, why don’t you take a look at it out of curiosity? Just like us before.”

“Yes, but there’s nothing good about attracting attention in such a flimsy way. I guess I don’t know anything because I’m still young.”

“Isn’t that what you realize when you learn step by step?”

-What, Cain?

-Uh, Bern?

The moment when two noble men were talking behind the scenes, not seeing Cain’s performance just two days earlier. Someone appeared next to the black-haired rider.

A young horseman with a colorful hair color seemed to have gilded his hair and pretended to be friendly with the dark-haired rider.

-…… Cain, I was curious about it two days ago. What does this mean? What the hell are you talking about with horns on your head?

-What is it, a unicorn?

-U, unicorn…… ? Is this white horse?

-Oh, it has horns on its forehead.

-Pureung, Purung─!

-No, you’re joking. Do unicorns know that a male rider cannot be tamed? No matter how extraordinary you are, you cannot transcend the limits of gender…….

-It’s true, but don’t believe it if you don’t want to believe it.

-…… Really? No really?

-Why, can’t you believe it? Can you show me any evidence?

“…… Is there really evidence?”

Aristocratic man next to Dinas asked timidly. Dinas shook his head as if it was nonsense and firmly denied it.

“This is a bluff. How do you prove that the horse is really a unicorn?”

“Uhm, right?”

-Did you know that the leg strength of unicorns is much stronger than that of normal horses? Bern, the horse you’re riding looks strong.

-Aha, that’s right. Let’s race

-It’s good that you understand quickly. How are you doing?

-Good. I will see it clearly with my own two eyes. Whether the horse is a unicorn or not, you can tell just by looking at it running…….

──All participants, please prepare! In 10 seconds, the hunt begins!

──5, 4, 3, 2, 1… ….

──Start!

-…… Go first!

Shortly after the starting signal was heard, the bodies of Cain and the white horse were literally ‘shot’.

That’s Dinas and the noble man who belatedly realized that it was absolutely not the speed that a normal horse could achieve. She just stared at Cain’s back as she walked away with her blank eyes.

-No, that human…… !

Bern, who was in a similar situation, hurriedly took the reins and started chasing after Cain.